As part of our commitment to complying with all of the State of Connecticut’s indoor air quality (IAQ) requirements, the Wolcott School District adheres to the following standard.

CT SCHOOL BUS EMISSIONS LAW SUMMARY

(CT General Statutes Section Nos. 14-164 n and o, 14-277, 22a-21j and 22a-21k)

• Prohibits school bus drivers from idling bus engines for more than three consecutive minutes when the bus is stopped except where:

1) The bus is stopped because of traffic conditions or mechanical problems over which the driver has no control;

2) It is necessary to operate heating, cooling, or auxiliary equipment needed for the proper operation of the bus, such as the operation of safety equipment.

3) The outside temperature is below 20 degrees Fahrenheit;

4) It is necessary to maintain a safe temperature for special needs students.

5) The bus is being repaired; or the driver is picking up or discharging passengers on a public highway or public road.

• Establishes fines for noncompliance: A first violation is an infraction, for which the total amount due is $ 102, if paid by mail. Subsequent offenses are punishable by fines of between $ 100 and $ 500. Fines are enforceable by local police.

• Requires certain full-sized buses to be retrofitted with emissions-reducing equipment by September 1, 2010, as long as the work can be done within grant amounts established. Requires, as an alternative, that a bus must meet US EPA 2007 emissions standards or use compressed natural gas or another alternative fuel certified by either the EPA or the California Air Resources Board in order to reduce soot emissions by at least 85% compared to ultra low sulfur diesel fuel. Establishes CT Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) grants to cover the retrofitting costs. Requires CT DEP to develop an outreach plan to educate municipalities, school boards and bus companies about the law and help them with the retrofits.